USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 42
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"The company, having marched to the house occupied by O'Connor, owned in 1865 by Herman Chadwick, halted, and opened in the center, so as to admit into the column the horse and cart containing the coffin. The horse was driven by William Adams, who was seated upon the coffin, and employed as execu- tioner. He had on black silk gloves, and a black silk handkerchief secured over and fitted to his face by some adhesive substance, which gave him the appearance of a negro. The Marshals soon came out of the house, followed by O'Connor and the Rev. Mr. Fitzmaurice. The two latter took a position directly behind the cart, while the former mounted their horses and rode to the front of the column, which moved slowly to the smith-shop of Thomas Brasher, where the irons were stricken from O'Connor by Henry Becket.' The prisoner seemed to have abandoned all idea of being released, and seemed much dis- tressed, wringing his hands and ejaculating detached parts of some prayer. ' Will the Lord forgive me ?' he would frequently ask of Mr. Fitzmaurice, who would reply : 'Whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved,' together with other like Scriptural expressions. After he returned from the smith-shop, the Captain of the company desired him to get into the cart, when the priest observed : 'No, I wish to talk to him; let him walk.' Capt. Wheeler replied that he had orders to place him in the cart, but would go and state his request to the Marshal. Accordingly, he advanced to where Mr. Madden was sitting upon his horse, who replied to the request, "No; if that gentleman wishes to talk to him, let him ride upon the cart with the murderer." The Captain delivered the answer, to which Fitzmaurice bowed respectfully, but made no reply. O'Connor being now seated upon the coffin, the column com- menced moving forward, to quarter-minute taps upon the drum, and arrived about 12 o'clock at the gallows, which was erected on a mound in the vicinity of the present court house. The company here formed in a hollow square, the cart being driven under the arm of the gallows, at the foot of which the grave was already dug. The Captain immediately ordered the company to ground arms
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and uncover, and many of the spectators removed their hats while the priest offered up a fervent and lengthy prayer, parts of which were repeated by O'Connor. At its close, the accused addressed a few remarks to the people, admitting that he had killed O'Keaf, that he was sorry for it, and hoped that all would forgive him. Then pausing for a moment, he observed, ' I wish Mr. Lorimier and Gratiot to have my -' Here he was admonished by the priest, ' Do not mind your worldly affairs ; in a few minutes you will be launched into eternity; give your thoughts to your God.' The hangman now spoke to O'Connor, and assisted him to ascend the cart, when he adjusted around his person a white shroud ; then securing his arms behind him at the elbows, he drew the cap over his face, fixed the noose around his neck, and descended from the cart to await the signal. This was given by one of the Marshals, who ad- vanced into the open area, where he stood with a watch in one hand and a handkerchief at arm's length in the other. As the hand of the watch came around to the moment, the handkerchief fell and the cart started. There was a convulsive struggling of the limbs for a moment, followed by a tremulous shuddering of the body, and life was extinct. The body hung about thirty minutes, when Drs. Morrow and Hannibal stepped forward, felt of his pulse, and said : 'He is dead.' The body was cut down, placed in a coffin with his wooden leg, and deposited in the grave. The company marched in single file to the front of the Bell Tavern, where a collection was taken up to defray expenses, when the company disbanded," and the first execution to take place in Iowa passed into history.
In digging the foundations for the Jefferson House, a number of years after, the skeleton of O'Connor was found and properly interred.
A couple of days after the execution, Adams, who enacted the role of Cal- craft on that occasion, was sent after some provisions by Alexander Young (still a resident of this city), in whose employ he then was, dropped into McGary's saloon, and narrowly escaped with his life. It seems that a number of deceased's friends were therein collected, and as soon as they saw Adams enter the place it was proposed to revenge the punishment inflicted on O'Con- nor by hanging his executioner. Adams hastened from the dangerous locality, and succeeded in eluding their vigilance until he was able to hide himself in a barn on Locust street, where he remained until morning, when he crossed the river at Peru and made his way to Rock Island.
Years ago, Mr. Young was one day passing through the last-named city, when he was accosted by a stranger with somewhat of that familiarity which is said to breed contempt, and, after scanning his features closely, recognized Adams in the person of his interlocutor. The latter related to Mr. Young the particulars of his escape, which he explained was the " closest shave any man ever had and saved his scalp."
There were other events of importance this year. Gen. G. W. Jones made the first political speech in Iowa during the fall. He spoke from a pile of lead opposite Atchison's store on Main street, near Third, and was replied to by J. D. Doty, an opposing candidate, two days after, the latter addressing his audi- ence half a square further down Main street.
Charles Miller opened the first carpenter-shop known to Dubuque this year also ; it was located on Main street, north of the present First National Bank building.
Among the distinguished visitors was John T. Smith, alias John Smith T., the noted Ste. Genevieve or Shibboleth duelist, who counted thirteen victims to his skill in the use of the pistol, as the agent he had employed wherewith to
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drag up drowned honor by the locks. He claimed the upper one-third of the Dubuque grant, and visited the town with a view to perfect title, but remained a short time only.
The first swell-box sleigh ever made west of the Mississippi was made dur- ing the winter for Solon Langworthy, by Charles Miller, and cost $100.
In 1835, the times continuing prosperous, large additions were made to the population of the county. The mines had become productive and rich, and farms began to be improved in the vicinity. One of these latter was that of Ambrose Meeker, who located at the grove which has since borne his name.
John Foley took up the ground at what is known as Foley's Grove. Sam- uel Preston, Thomas R. Brasher and others settled in Mosalem Township. Pre- vious to that move, Mr. Brasher had officiated as landlord of a boarding-house in Dubuque, also conducted a blacksmith-shop, in which he had the assistance of Henry Becket. Chester Sage, of whom mention has been made, bought the claim in Peru Township, where Thompson's mill subsequently stood. There was a trace of quiet humor in his composition, and after his mill began to operate Mr. Sage was in the habit of relating to the farmers of the vicinity how to make buckwheat flour. "Why," said he, speaking through his nose, " when buckwheat is scarce just take a little good black muck from the creek bottom, and throw it among the wheat while it is being ground. That will make the stuff for pancakes."
In connection with Timothy Davis, subsequently a Representative in Con- gress from the Northern District of Iowa, Mr. Sage built the celebrated Elka- der Mills, in Clayton County.
Mr. Henry Hunter settled in Washington Township, where he made a claim of 160 acres, and influenced many substantial farmers to locate near him.
John Ewing carried on a furnace and valuable diggings on the Little Maquo- keta. One day, along about 1846, upon returning from Dubuque, he learned that a German employed by him had corrected one of his children, or rather slapped him for disobedience. Loading his gun, Ewing proceeded to the mines without delay, where the German was at work, and, without comment or warning, shot him. There were several witnesses to the tragedy. None of them ever appeared to give testimony against the accused. Ewing was arrested and tried, but acquitted, and soon after left the country.
Tom Smith, also employed in the mines, purchased a small claim, design- ing to cultivate it as a garden, on a point of land between the North and South Forks of the Little Maquoketa, near Ewing's furnace. A dispute arose between Smith and a land-owner whose name is not of record, which ended in an encounter between them. The unknown met Smith, armed with rifle, pistol and knife. Smith maintained a defensive attitude until his oppo- nent had exhausted his ammunition, when the former leveled his gun, with the remark, " It is my turn now." While the would-be assassin was twisting his adipose into the most original devices to avoid the shot, at the same time pray- 'ing for mercy, Smith fired, lodging a brace of shot in his breast, causing inore pain than danger, and terminating the encounter.
In the mean time, Dubuque Town made rapid advances ; began to assume- the importance, if it lacked the influence, of a city, and, during the year, was made the shipping-point for 50,000,000 pounds of ore. Situated as it was in the vicinity of mines among the richest then known, surrounded by a choice farming country with as fertile soil as any in Wisconsin Territory, and located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the great highway of the Western
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country, the town's progress was only in harmony with the spirit of the age, supplemented by the rare combinations cited.
The spring was passed amid the bustle and disorders quoted, and summer came and went without any apparent falling-off either in the tide of emigra- tion, success in business, or repeated violations of the remnant of law, which, though non scripta, was still regarded as in esse, and, as already quoted, not unfrequently it was enforced, and its violation punished, by means not recog- nized by its provisions. Indeed, the consequence was that 1835 proved one of the most turbulent, if also prosperous, years yet experienced. Civil govern- ment existed only in name, its powers being so restricted as to be unable to- cope with the opposition.
But the attendance at churches and schools gradually increased, and an acceptable improvement was to be observed in the character of those who came hither. The composition of the class of emigrants during this year was not, as a rule, made up of the dross of life, but pure gold. They were farmers, mechanics and professional men, with a slight sprinkling of adventurers, or soldiers of fortune, who came to conquer adversity without reference to the means to be employed in the attainment of their ends. On the fifteenth day of August, the corner-stone of the new Catholic church was laid, with impos- ing ceremonies, in the presence of a vast audience. It was located a few feet south of the site of the present cathedral, built of stone ; was finally completed and dedicated in 1836, and called Saint Raffael's Church.
This was the only church edifice commenced during the year, though sub- scriptions were sought, and arrangements made, for the building of a Presby- terian meeting-house.
The new arrivals included Xavier Rheinfried, J. D. Bush, Mrs. J. Graham, Mrs. J. Graham, Jr., Charles Hoag, W. I. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. A. McDaniel, T. C. Fassitt, J. Brunskill, Mrs. E. Langworthy, J. Simplot, the Rev. H. W. Reed and wife, J. G. Shields and others.
During the year, a feeling sprang up among the citizens against the further participation of gamblers and men of their type in the social amenities of the times. The morality of residents was becoming shocked at the familiarity which that character of enterprise was assuming toward their daughters, sis- ters, etc., and it was decided to deny them, in the future, the privileges and immunities accorded them in the past. But this decision was never cited as undeniable authority, and, at a ball given in honor of Gov. Dodge and his two daughters, at Fanning's dance hall, opposite the present site of the new opera house, these evidences of humanity pirouetted, chassezed and danced the Money Musk with the beauty and chivalry of Dubuque, without fear or reproach.
In this year, Choteau, of St. Louis, who claimed title to the lands once owned by Dubuque, attempted to circumvent the skill of his adversaries and obtain possession of his alleged claim, by proposing to lease the land to miners. But this gentry generally preferred the protection of the Government and declined to acknowledge any other ownership.
THE MASSEY MURDER.
On Monday, September 7, 1835, a tragedy occurred which, from the prom- inence of the chief actors, the romantic features which attended its sequel, and other facts, is still remembered by residents of Dubuque on that date.
Woodbury Massey was the eldest of several brothers and a sister, left orphans at an early day. Himself and family were the founders of the first
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Methodist church erected in Dubuque. Had he lived, no doubt he would have proved a main pillar and support of the young community. In an evil hour, he became the purchaser of a lot and lode called the "Irish lot," to which a Mr. Smith and son William possessed some claim. They were the exact oppo- site to Mr. Massey in character and disposition. The title was involved in a suit, which was decided adversely to the Smiths, and the Sheriff, as was his duty, sought to put the rightful claimant in possession. When they arrived upon the grounds, the Smiths, being secreted among the diggings, rose up sud- denly, and, firing their guns in quick succession, Mr. Massey was shot through the heart. His family, living near by, saw him fall, thus early cut down in the prime of life and usefulness, a victim to the unsettled state of the times and the ungoverned passions of turbulent men. Mr. Massey was buried on Tuesday, and the vindictive assassins were arrested and held in confinement until the session of the Circuit Court at Mineral Point, Judge Irving presiding upon the trial. The counsel for defense objected to the jurisdiction of the court, and the prisoners were discharged. They, however, left the scene of their crime for a time.
One of the decedent's younger brothers, highly exasperated by this trans- action, that no trial could be obtained for such offenders, determined that, should the elder Smith come this way, he would take the punishment for the murder of his brother into his own hands. One day, while sitting in his shop at Galena, he chanced to see Smith walking in the public streets, and, snatch- ing a pistol, he fired upon him with fatal effect. For this act of the younger brother, there seems to have been the broadest charity manifested. He was never tried or even arrested, and lived for many years, greatly respected by all who knew him.
The death of the father, of course, soon brought the younger Smith to the mines. It was understood privately that he was determined to shoot one or the other of the surviving brothers at the very first opportunity. He was known to be an excellent shot with the pistol, of an imperious disposition, and rash temper. These rumors finally reached the ears of the fair-haired, blue-eyed sister, who was thus made to believe that he would carry his threats into execu- tion. She was just verging into womanhood, with fresh susceptibilities and all her deep affections awakened by the surrounding difficulties of the family. One day, without consulting others, she determined, by a wild and daring advent- ure, to cut off all chances of danger in that direction. Disguising herself in " Mother " Johnson's sun-bonnet, and taking a lad along to point out the per- son whom she sought, never having seen him before, she went into the street on her mission of justice. Passing Guerin's store, afterward N. Nadeau's saloon, where the Key City House now is, on Main street, the boy saw Smith and pointed him out to the avenging Nemesis. He was always well armed, and of undaunted courage, as she well knew, and, stepping into the store, she exclaimed in a voice tremulous with emotion, " If you are Smith, defend yourself," and, as he rose to draw his weapon, she pointed a pistol at his breast and fired. He fell to the floor, apparently in the last pangs of dissolution, and Miss Massey, seemingly convinced of the fatal result of her shot, retired as mysteriously as she had come. Whither she went, no one could conjecture ; but, as it was after- ward ascertained, she hastened to the friendly house of Milo H. Prentice ; sub- sequently she found shelter in the house of a Mr. Johnson, a reliable merchant of the town, finally retreating to the home of her brother, on the hill, on the property at present occupied by the family of the late James L. Langworthy, where she remained over night, and was taken to Galena next morning.
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It so happened that, at the time of the shooting, Smithi had a large wallet filled with papers in his breast pocket, and the ball, striking about the center, was checked and his life spared. Upon recovering consciousness, he rushed into the street in pursuit of his assailant, but she had fled and escaped his violence. He lived many years, but the wound he received on that occasion hastened his- death. After going to Illinois Miss Massey was married to Mr. S. J. William- son, and, with her husband, has been dead many years. Her name, "Louisa," has been perpetuated, however, it having been appropriated to one of the coun- ties of Iowa.
Another account relates that the young lady, accompanied by a lad named Williams, found Smith in Guerin's store, and going in. engaged the clerk employed in conversation regarding the price of a remnant she admired. During the interview, she interrogated the clerk as to the identity of Smith. Being assured that her object was within reach, she drew a pistol from beneath a cloak, with which she was disguised, and discharged it at Smith at the very moment the clerk, comprehending her design, warned the intended victim. Having, as she thought, inflicted a fatal wound, she hurried across the street and gained the friendly shelter of Mrs. Johnson's home, as Smith, who in the mean time revived, appeared on the street prepared to defend himself.
So outraged were the people at the legal license assumed by the killing of Massey, that in October a miners' meeting was held, at which emphatic speeches were made regarding the condition of affairs. It was resolved by those present, that, there being no court of sufficient jurisdiction, they were called upon to defend themselves, even if compelled to invoke the presence of Judge Lynch. It was also decreed that the gamblers, thieves and other characters of questionable repute should be called upon to leave the city within thirty-six hours, under the penalty of hanging.
The earnestness and unanimity of those interested in this matter had its desired effect, and disreputable characters of all degrees boarded the ferry, and lost no time in crowding space between Dubuque and their camping grounds.
There were other tragic incidents during the year, but in most instances those accused pleaded a successful defense, or escaped the vigilance of the law officers.
One day while " sky-larking," as it was termed, John O'Mara was smote on the head by Patrick Brennan, and never smiled again. The officers of the lynch law assembled and made efforts to arrest the offender, who, anticipating their action, had made his escape.
A fellow who neglected to leave his name was arrested for shamefully beating his wife, and called upon to plead. His guilt being established, he was treated to a coat of tar and feathers, and shipped over to Illinois.
A fellow by the name of Leek had stolen a large canoe, belonging to Thomas McCraney, and loading the same with lead from piles near the river, placed there for shipment, floated down the stream as far as Rock Island, where he sold out at a large profit. He was found at Rock Island. and returned to Dubuque for trial. Upon being found guilty, he was sentenced to receive thirty-nine lashes, which Mr. Enoch, Sheriff for the time, administered, the accused having previously swallowed a glass of brandy Sheriff Langworthy gave him; and being tied to a black-jack tree near Judge Dyer's late residence, he was sent across the river with the admonition that if he returned he should receive a double punishment. He never came back.
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KIDNAPING KIN.
In the fall, a man named Tate, residing on the hill north of where the Academy of Visitation is located, married a Missouri widow with a fifteen- year-old daughter, and other attractions calculated to please the fastidious. A brief time after the couple, with their responsibilities, had settled down to the realities of life, the daughter inherited $1,500 from a relative, and trouble began. The grandmother of this heiress made the family a visit, as was after- ward ascertained, for no other purpose than to contrive ways and means to become possessed of the money held by Mrs. Tate in trust for her daughter. The old lady, it seems, made arrangements with the Captain of the boat on which she journeyed to Dubuque, to stop here on his return and aid her in kid- naping the child, whose release would be effected upon the payment of a major part of her inheritance. The boat returned from St. Paul, arriving at Dubuque on Sunday afternoon, and made one of three tied up at the foot of First street, in the slough, now covered by the side-tracks of the Illinois Central road. About dusk that evening six deck-hands, being instructed as to what was expected of them by the Captain, left the steamer and proceeded to Tate's cabin. Some time was occupied in devising impracticable schemes for the execution of their contract, during which people in the vicinity departed for church. Tate being without arms, and thus deprived of the assistance of his neighbors, became an easy prey to these nighthawks, who burst open the door of his domicile, and, seizing the young girl, attempted to effect their escape, favored by the darkness and gloom which at this time enveloped their identity. The disorder occasioned by the assault, together with the cries of the girl, attracted the curiosity of a number of boys, including Frank Hayden, A. B. Harrison, Robert Brasher and C. Willoughby, who followed them as they ran down Lorimier Hollow with their conquest. As the Methodist Church was passed, the boys halted, and interrupted the sermon of the Rev. Mr. Bas- tian with the warning that "Some one was stealing Tate's girl." The congregation filed out of church and followed in the wake of the fugitives, who were traced to the steamboats moored at the foot of First street. The crowd demanded the production of the girl, when the Captain came out on the boiler deck, and, denying that any girl had been brought on his boat, solicited an examination of the craft by a committee, which was appointed, with James Fanning as Chairman. The examination was without results, but the boys insisted that they could not be mistaken, and the crowd refused to receive and accept the report submitted. Finally, an old silversmith, named C. Kadmus, visited his shop, at the corner of First and Main streets, where he prepared fire- balls, and, returning, threatened to burn the boats unless the missing link between riot and good order was produced, with the least possible delay. This had the desired effect, for the merry maiden and the tar soon appeared, the impending ruin was delayed, and the heiress reserved for conquest in a manner more legitimate, as also more in sympathy with her inclinations.
The improvements of 1835 included the first cabinet-shop in Dubuque, established by Louis Jacob, on Main street, between Fifth and Seventh.
These summary processes enforced a respect born of an apprehension exist- ing in the minds of the lawless. Mr. Lucius H. Langworthy, in his history of the times, commenced years later and left uncompleted at his death, says : " Dubuque might now begin to hope for a peaceful and prosperous future. Law had seized in its grasp the hands of disorder and arrested the progress of turbulent men. System had begun to dawn from the darkness of chaos. True,
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the trials which surrounded the pioneer West had been neither few nor light. No social virtue shone out amid the rampant vices of the times. The glimpses of moral sunshine which faintly struggled through the clouds of dissipation, almost faded away amid the prevailing darkness. Yet, in spite of all these circumstances, the dreary day was at an end, and the morrow was to be cheer- ing, invigorating and sunny, giving fair promise of a harvest, rich and glowing in the coming time."
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